Issues of the Day

Convention Thank you to all who participated in the 68th Annual Arc Convention this week. We have more than 300 people attending and additional vendors, speakers and sponsors. It was two great days of laughs, networking and learning. Here are some photos to provide it! Congratulations to all the award winners! May 3 – Don’t... Read more »

Yesterday was a packed day in Springfield with so many bills that they had to hold two Senate Human Services hearings. SB354, the long term care fund, was not heard in committee. Three bills we are advocating for did move on: SB2424 – Diversion from Facilities SB3237 – OIG appeal rights for people with disabilities,... Read more »

The crazy Committee Deadline week continues. TODAY – Please support the following bills by submitting witness slips. For those family members, individuals and advocates not affiliated with an organization, you can either describe yourself (self-advocate, concerned parent, advocate etc). HB5163 – Community Care for Persons with Disabilities Act – CLICK HERE to submit a witness slip in support... Read more »

Happy Monday! This is the start of committee deadline week in Springfield. For those who are not familiar, especially this year, committee deadline week involves many crammed in hearings occurring with short notice. Legislators will be running around and bills will be flying by. In order for a bill to stay alive to be voted... Read more »

Thanks to all those who joined last week’s Executive Forum! Sorry about the late issues with the phone line. SAVE THE DATE – June 6 Executive Forum (Medicaid Managed Care) Following up from the Executive Forum: 1) Please send me a contact who might want to participate in a short term employment/subminimum wage discussion. We... Read more »

MEDICAID UPDATE Thanks to all those who were able to join us on the Medicaid and Issues with Sherri Schneider webinar today. We apologize again for not being able to accommodate everyone who registered. HOT OFF THE PRESS -Sherri shared on the webinar: 1) Effective 3/30/18 – If the computer system that used to automatically... Read more »

Disability Activist Alert Tell the USDA: Don’t Cut Off Our Food Assistance! Action needed by Monday, April 9, 2018 The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is collecting comments on whether it should make changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) that will lead to people losing food and nutrition assistance. Roughly 1 in 4... Read more »

March is Developmental Disabilities Month! How are you celebrating? Please share with the Arc how you are spreading the word. Check out Trinity’s efforts to raise awareness and build connections through their open house March 12. Here are some ideas: 1) Share your stories on social media about IDD! #DDawareness18, Check out the NACDD Guide... Read more »

Today the Division on Developmental Disabilities Director, Greg Fenton, announced that he will be retiring May 31, 2018. Director Fenton has been a great friend to the Arc and people with disabilities and families across Illinois. He has been incredibly accessible to families throughout the years especially at Arc Conventions and Speak Up Speak Out... Read more »

Medicaid Issues Continued: As previously shared, when HFS rolled over to new software a few months ago, individual and families have faced significant Medicaid issues. We want to share with you a new Medicaid Q&A that tries to answer some of the main questions people are facing related to barriers in accessing Medicaid. We know... Read more »